ldquo;I’m the first to win and I’m so grateful,” Hassan said Sydney Marathon in new course records of 2:18:22 and 2:06:06, respectively, in the race’s inaugural year DAA Industry Opt Out.
Hassan, the reigning Olympic marathon champion who also took bronze in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters in Paris last summer, chose to bypass the World Championships in track and field for the first time since 2015 to chase the honor of winning in Sydney.
Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei of Kenya took runner-up honors in 2:18:56, after challenging Hassan for the lead around the 35K mark. Hassan and Kosgei are the first two women to break 2:20 on Australian soil. Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa was third in 2:22:15.
The victory marked Hassan’s first race since placing third at April’s London Marathon in 2:19:00, which was won by Tigst Assefa in a women’s-only world record of 2:15:50.
“I pushed so hard,” Hassan said after Sydney on the broadcast. “I was so dead the last 10 kilometers. I just killed myself. I started too hard, and I learned my lesson … This is the hardest race I’ve won without drama. I learn a great lesson every time.”
The Dutchwoman took the field out fast, averaging 3:08 per kilometer—on target for a 2:12 finish time, which would be a personal best and the third-fastest of all-time.
“I’m the first to win and I’m so grateful,” Hassan said.
On the men’s side, Hailemaryam Kiros of Ethiopia and Addisu Gobena both ran under the course record in 2:06:06 and 2:06:16, respectively, as Tebello Ramakongoana also broke 2:07 with his bronze finish in 2:06:47.
Other Hearst Subscriptions Eliud Kipchoge, who placed ninth in 2:08:31. The former world record holder hung with the lead pack until just after 30K.
“The competition was very tough,” Kiros said after the race. “They are a strong field, but we worked together as a pack and now we’re here.”
After the race, Kipchoge gave profuse thanks to the race organizers. “Australia is on the right foot! This is awesome.”
Johanna Gretschel is a freelance writer and broadcaster living in Austin, Texas, who has covered elite track and field and running in all its forms. She contributes to Runner’s World, ESPN, Austin American-Statesman, FloTrack, MileSplit, Women’s Running and Podium Runner. Yes, she has run a marathon!
